Lighting the menorah is weighted with deep significance this holiday as we search for glimmers of hope and happiness amid the tensions and fears both in Israel and the United States. We offer here a touch of sweetness to balance the bitter, and gifts and items that evoke Jewish pride and Israeli creativity as we come together to celebrate a holiday centered around the triumph over our ancient enemies. 

A Time to Talk

Root & Seed wants to help unlock your family heritage with their Conversation Cards. The game’s 68 cards have discussion prompts and a QR code that lets players discuss then digitally record family stories and traditions (Conversation Cards, from $29; Hanukkah expansion pack, from $8; rootandseed.com).

Turn, Turn, Turn

Tchotchke’s design ethos focuses on merging whimsy with tradition. The handcrafted Emerald Ripple Menorah, which allows users to place candles anywhere along its round ridges, is a perfect example of the company’s distinctive touch (from $180; moderntribe.com).

Flowers and Birds From Israel

Barbara Shaw’s cheerful home goods spotlight different aspects of the Israeli designer’s beloved country. Enjoy drinking coffee while admiring the flora and fauna of the Jewish state, with Shaw’s coffee mugs decorated with flowers native Israel, including the red anemone and narcissus, or her set with the beautiful, colorful birds of Israel, from the hoopoe and jewel-toned bee-eater, to the wagtail and woodpecker (each set from $50; barbarashawgifts.com).

A Time to Plant

Elevate your holiday centerpiece with the Talia Dreidel Terrarium from Adara Rituals, (at left) available in gold or black, or with the Mini Dreidel Terrarium that is a perfect size for holding your chocolate gelt (from $78 each; mini terrarium from $24 each).

Designing With Hebrew

Israeli high-end luxury Judaica designer David Roytman, who recently opened a gallery in New York City, leans heavily on his heritage in his creations. Both his dreidel/whirligig (from $150) and the Tzfat napkin holder, available in both gold and silver (from $250; davidroytman.com), are styled using the alef-bet.

Tokens and Treasures

The Olive Branch Token pendant and necklace (center, from $345) from fine-jewelry company Zahava has the word “Peace” engraved on its back. Zahava means golden in Hebrew and company founder Jessica Hendrick Yee, who dubs her pieces “modern heirlooms,” finds inspiration for her jewelry in her Jewish upbringing. Most of her pieces are handcrafted in 10K gold by artisans in Tel Aviv, and much of her work features Jewish and Middle Eastern imagery and sayings. The Olive Branch pendant is part of her Tokens collection, which also includes the Pomegranate Vine Token necklace, with 4 diamonds and the words “Inner Beauty” engraved on the back of the pendant (at right, from $1095) and the Date Palm Token necklace, also with 4 diamonds and the word “Grounding” (from $1055).

Women of Valor

This 500-piece puzzle is not just a celebration of Zionist women throughout the ages, it also helps support this magazine. Receive or gift the puzzle, created from one of our classic covers, with a donation of $250 to Hadassah Magazine. 

A Time to Play

Pickleball has swept the nation. If you haven’t started playing yet, a “kosher” sweatshirt (from $70; santabarbarahappy.com) and pickleball hat (from $24.95; shoptheweitzman.org) will provide some inspiration.

A Time for Pride

Popular accessory designer Susan Alexandra brings candy-colored appeal, a fun and perky style and Jewish pride to both her Judaica and her Jewish jewelry, including (from left) her Dirty Martini Menorah (from $325); Mensch Earrings, with chai or Star of David charms (from $138); Merry Menorah (from $295) and her (above, from top) Protect Your Neck Choker (from $85), Shalom Necklace (from $148) and Prayer Necklace (from $108). 

A Time for Love

The 13-foot Ahava sculpture was gifted to the Israel Museum by Pennsylvania artist Robert Indiana. This symbol of American connection to the Jewish state is reimagined (from left) in a pendant necklace by designer Emily Rosenfeld (from $68, shoptheweitzman.org); as a resin sculpture, in pink or blue (from $245, thehappykangaroo.com); as bookends (from $42 each; shoptheweitzman.org) or as earrings (from $25).

On the Wire

Based in South Africa, The Chai Modern Judaica collection brings fun, pop art charm to all of its designs. Its handmade Licht (light, in Yiddish) menorah collection is a collaboration with sustainable design company African Creative. Handcrafted from powder coated steel wire, the menorah comes in an array of designs and colors, including midnight and blush (from $108) 

Waffles for Hanukkah

Is it a dreidel, or is it breakfast? With Dash’s adorable Dreidel Mini Waffle Maker (from $10), it can be both. The waffle maker can be used not only for sweet treats, but, according to the downloadable recipe guide on Dash’s website, for making dreidel-embossed latkes, too.

Stick It to Them

The Studio Basha wants you to proudly display your love and support of Israel (and the IDF). Its laser printed waterproof vinyl stickers can be placed on everything from your computer to your travel mug (from $3.50 each).

An Elegant, Modern Option

Renowned Vermont home goods designer Simon Pearce’s new Riverstone Menorah (from $325, simonpearce.com) featured a handcrafted glass base designed to capture the essence of sleek, flattened riverbed stones. The base reflects the gentle glow of the candles as they are lit each night.